Apparatus for mixing concrete.



No. 699,668. Patented May I3, I902.

c. T. DRAKE.

APPARATUS FOR MIXING CONCRETE.

(Applicati lllllllllllllllllll 3 Sheets-Sheei I.

No. 699,668. Patented Ilay13, I902.

c. DRAKE. APPARATUS FOR MIXING CONCRETE.

(Application filed Nov. 18, 1901.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 "Il Q! Eii b Patented May I3, 1902.

c. T. DRAKE. APPARATUS FOR MIXING CONCRETE.

(Appiication filed Nov. 18, 1901.

3 Sheets Sheat 3.

(No Model.)

IIIILS Vmtorv f THE mums Pawns cov PNOTO-LITHO., WASHINGTON n. c.

Tamas CHESTER T. DRAKE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

APPARATUS FOR M SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters IXING CONCRETE. I

Patent No. 699,668, dated May 13, 1902.

A plication filed November 18,1901. erial No. 82,729. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHESTER T. DRAKE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Ohicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented acertain new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for Mixing Concrete; andI declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itpertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates in general tomachines for mixing concrete, and moreparticularly to conveyers for receiving the concrete from the mixer anddelivering the same to any desired point where it is to be used.

In machines of the class mentioned in order that the concrete may bedelivered directly from the mixer to the place of use it is necessary toprovide a conveyer capable of a horizontal movement around its point ofconnection with the mixer and also capable of a vertical movement inorder to elevate its delivery end to the desired height. It is essentialthat the mixed concrete should be deposited at all times by the mixerupon the adjacent end of the oonveyer in whatever adjusted position itmay be and also that the conveyer should be so constructed that themixed concrete will be carried to the desired point and there deliveredin its mixed condition.

The object of my invention is to provide a concrete-mixer with ahorizontally and vertically movable conveyer driven by powercommunicated thereto in the axis of the kingbolt around which theconveyer is pivoted, the conveyer-belt being so guided to be depressedat its longitudinal center and being provided with a funnelshaped hopperat its delivery end, therebypreventing the ingredients of the mixedconcrete from being separated by centrifugal force as it passes from thedelivery end of the conveyor.

A further object of my invention is to provide a conveyor for deliveringthe concrete or other compositions from a mixer which will be simple inconstruction and efficient in operation.

My invention will be more fully described hereinafter with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which the same is illustrated as embodiedin a convenient and practical form, and in which-- Figure 1 is a view inelevation of the conveyer and a portion of the mixer; Fig. 2, a planview of the con veyer and the portion of the mixer to which it isconnected; Fig. 3, a transverse section taken on line 3 3, Figs. 1 and2; Fig. 4, a transverse section taken on line 4 4, Fig. 2; Fig. 5, aperspective View ofv the bearing-plate upon which the conveyorturn-table is rotatably supported; and Fig. 6, a transverse sectionalview taken on line 6 (3, Figs. 1 and 2.

Similar reference characters are used to indicate the same parts in theseveral figures of the drawings. 7

Reference characters AA indicate the side frames of a support upon whichthe mixer C is mounted by means of braces a a, secured to and extendingabove the side frames A A and fixed at their upper ends beneath thehorizontallyextending flange 0 at the top of the mixer (J. Mixing-bladesC are located within the mixer-tank and are secured to a shaft 0, whichis rotated by any suitable power connection. The support for the mixermay be rendered portable by means of wheels 13, located beneath the sideframes and supporting the same by any suitable means-as, for instance,the braces a.

Depending U -shaped frames A and A preferably formed of channel-iron,are se cured at their upper ends to the side frames A A near thedelivery end of the mixer.

The horizontal portions of the depending frames A and A support beams AA and A, which are preferably made of channeliron opening downwardly,with the hollow portions thereof filled with hard wood, asindicated at a a a. The outer beams A and A may be conveniently cut awayat their ends so as to incline toward the centerbeam. Secured to thebeams A, A and A is a plate A upon which is secured a ring E andconcentric therewith a disk E having a depression therein 6 as shownindetail in Fig. 5. Mounted upon the ring E" is a similar ring E andsuperposed on the disk E is a disk E, having a projecting portionfitting within the depression e in the disk E The ring E and disk E arerigidly secured to a plate D, preferably rectangular in shape, upon theupper surface of which are supported beams D and D which are preferablyarranged parallel and located at the opposite sides of the plate D. Aking-bolt E passes through the centers of the disks E and E and alsothrough the plates D andA and is provided with a nut engaging thefilling material a of the channel-beam A, through which the kingbolt'also passes.

Secured to the upper surfaces of the beams D and D are'brackets ff,supporting at their upper ends a chute F, which is located immediatelybelow the outlet 0 of the mixer O.

The outer ends of the beams D and D are provided with" circulardepressions in which are located tubular extensions g and 9 secured tothe corresponding ends of the side frames G and G which constitute theconveyer-frame. Straps cl and d are secured to the upper surfaces of thebeams D and D and retain the tubular extensions g and g within thebearings formed therefor. A series of guide-rollers II are located uponrods h, the outer ends of which are journaled in brackets secured to theupper surfaces of the side frames G and G At each end of theguide-rollers H are located conical guides II, which are rotatablysupported upon the rods h by means of the integral sleeves h.

A roller K is rotatably supported in the outer ends of the side frames Gand G and is preferably journaled in adjustable bearings 7c.Guide-rollers 1-1 H are journaled in brackets depending from the undersurfaces of the side frames. A funnel-shaped hopper L is located belowthe end of the conveyerframe, to which it is secured by straps Z. Theoutlet of the hopper is preferably provided-with a swinging cover L.

Bifurcated brackets m m are secured to the side frames G and G and serveas bearings between which is supported a pulley M, around which a rope Mpasses, the opposite ends of such rope being secured to means extendingabove the support for the mixer, whereby the rope may be wound up andthe elevation of the conveyer-frame regulated. The means of winding upthe rope M for convenience I have shown as consisting in a roller Mmounted within uprights A A secured at their lower ends to the sideframes A A of the mixer-support. One end of the rope is rigidly securedto the uprights A while the other end is secured to the roller M abovementioned. The roller M" is provided with a gear-wheel M which is inmesh with a smaller gear-wheel M which may be rotated by means of acrank m A power-shaft N is rotatably supported beneath the mixer and isprovided with a beveled gear-wheel n at a point adjacent to adependingpost N, in the lower end of which the power-shaft is j ournaled. Adouble-faced beveled gear 0 is located above the king-bolt E, with itsaxis in alinement therewith. I

have shown such double-faced gear-wheel as mounted upon a short verticalshaft 0, the lower end of whichis secured within a recess in a casting OThe casting O is provided with a recess in its under surface which fitsover the head of the king-bolt and is provided with a projecting flangewherebyit is secured to the plate D. The double-faced gear 0 is providedwith collars 0, which surround the end of the stub-shaft O and permitthe gear .to freely rotate thereon. The teeth on the upper face of thegear 0 mesh with the gear 71. on the end of the power-shaft N, while theteeth on the under surface of the doublefaced gear 0 are in mesh with agear p, secured to the inner end of a short shaft P, which is journaledin a tubular bearing P, attached to the vertical face of the beam D Theend of the shaft P opposite to the gear 19 is provided with asprocket-wheel P around which passes a sprocket-chain Q A shaft Rextends through the tubular extensions g and g on the side frames G andG and is provided with bushings r r, interposed between the shaft R andthe interior of the tubular extensions g and 9 A sprocketwheel R islocated on one end of the shaftR and is engaged by the sprocket-chain QA sprocket-chain Q engages a sprocket-wheel R, secured to the other endof the shaft R, and a sprocket-wheel K, secured to the reduced end ofthe roller K, which projects through the side frame G.

A roller K is provided with reduced ends which are journaled upon theupper surfaces of the beams D and D in the rear of the shaft R.Keeperplates 76 70 are secured over the journals of the rollers K toretain them in their bearings.

The operation of my machine is as follows: The mixed concrete isdelivered by means of the rotatable mixing-arms 0 through theoutlet 0 tothe chute F, which extends over the inner end of the conveyor-belt G.The endless conveyer-belt G passes around the idle roller K at one endand around the driven roller K at the other end. The top portion of theconveyer-belt is supported by the rollers H H, &c., whilethe under orreturning portion of the belt is guided by the rollers H H The elevationof the conveyer-frame is regulated by winding up one end of the rope Mby means of the Windlass. The conveyer-frame is then swung horizontallyabout the king-bolt E to the desired position where the concrete is tobe used. The rotation of the power-shaftN through the interposed gearingrotates the do uble-faced gear O,'which in turn rotates the shaft Pthrough the meshing gears, and the shaft P rotates the shaft B throughthe connecting sprocket wheels and chain. The rotation of the shaft Bthrough the sprocket-wheels R and K and sprocketchain Q rotates theroller K, which drives the conveyer-belt G through frictional contacttherewith. The weight of the concrete depresses the central portion ofthe conveyerbelt, the outer edges of which engage the conical rollers HII, thereby avoiding any dangerof the concrete falling over the sideedges of the conveyer. The funnel-shaped hopper Ii receives the concretefrom the end of the conveyer-belt and prevents the heavy ingredients ofthe concrete from being separated from the lighter ingredients, all ofthe constituent parts of the concrete being received by the enlargedopening in the top of the hopper and concentrated by means of itsreduced outlet. The cover L may be swung into position to close thehopper, as indicated in Fig. 1, when the concrete is being deliveredinto wheelbarrows, which are intermittently located beneath the hopper.

The location of the doublefaced gear 0 in vertical alinement with theking-bolt permits the power to be uniformly communicated from thepower-shaft to the conveyer regardless of the horizontal adjustment ofthe conveyer-frame. The location of the shaft R concentrically withinthe pivotal connections between the conveyer-frame and side beams I) Dpermits the vertical adjustment of the conveyer-frame without affectingthe engagement between the sprocket-wheels R R and the sprocket-chains QQ.

While I have described more or less precisely the details ofconstruction, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto,as I contemplate changes in form, the proportion of parts, and thesubstitution of equivalents as circumstances may suggest or renderexpedient without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with amixer, of longitudinal parallel beams upon which the mixer is supported,beams secured to and depending from said longitudinal beams, ahorizontal frame supported beneath the discharging end of the mixer bysaid depending beams, and a conveyer mounted upon said horizontal frame.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with amixer, oflongitudinal parallel beams upon which the mixer is supported,beams secured to and depending from said longitudinal beams, ahorizontal frame supported beneath the discharging end of the mixer bysaid depending beams, a turn-table rotatabl y mounted upon said horizontal frame, and a vertically-swinging conveyer pivotally secured tosaid turn-table.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with amixer, of a support therefor, a discharge-chute located beneath thedelivery end of said mixer and mounted upon said support, a cylindricalguide-roller journalcd upon said support beneath said chute, aconveyer-frame pivotally mounted on said support, a cylindricalguideroller journaled in the outer end ofsaid frame, concaveguide-rollers journaled in said conveyer-frame, a conveyer-belt passingaround said cylindrical and concave guide-rollers, and a funnel-shapedhopper supported by said conveyer-frame below the cylindricalguide-roller journaled in the end thereof.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, the oombination with amixer, of a support therefor, a horizontally-swinging conveyer-framemounted upon said support, a conveyer-belt carried by said frame, and achute horizontally movable with said conveyer-frame and receiving thematerial from the mixer and depositing the same upon the conveyer-belt,substantially as described.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with amixer, of a support therefor, a horizontally-swingingconveyer-framemounted upon said support, a conveyer-belt carried by said frame, achute horizontally movable with said conveyerframe and receiving thematerial from the mixer and depositing the same upon the conveyer-belt,and concave guide-rollers journaled in said conveyer-frame over whichsaid belt passes, substantially as described.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with amixer, of a support therefor, a horizontally-swinging conveyer-framemounted upon said support, a conveyer-belt carried by said frame, achute horizontally movable with said conveyerframe and receiving thematerial from the mixer and depositing the same upon the conveyer-belt,concave guide-rollers journaled in said conveyer-frame over which saidbelt passes, and a funnel-shaped hopper supported by said conveyer-frame below the delivery end thereof, substantially as described.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with asupport, of a vertically-swingin g conveyer-frame mounted on saidsupport, a conveyer-belt carried by said frame, transverselyextendingsleeves secured to the sides of said frame, bearings on said supportwithin which said sleeves are received, a shaft extending through saidsleeves, bushings secured to said shaft and interposed between the sameand said sleeves, means for rotating said shaft, and means connectingsaid shaft with said conveyer-belt for driving the latter, substantiallyas described.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with asupport, of a horizontally-swinging conveyer-frame, a conveyer-beltcarried by said frame, a turn-table mounted upon said support to whichsaid conveyer-frame is connected, a king-bolt passing through saidsupport and said turn-table, a gear-wheel the axis of which is inalinemen't with the king-bolt, a support forsaid gearwheel secured tosaid turn-table and interposed between said gear-wheel and kingbolt, apower-shaft operatively connected with said ICO IIO

ing a gear-Wheel in mesh With the teeth on one face of said doublegear-wheel, a stubshaft having a gear-Wheel in mesh with the teeth onthe other face of said double gear, and means connected to saidstub-shaft for driving the conveyer-belt,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of twowitnesses.

CHESTER T. DRAKE. WVitnesses:

GEO. L. WILKINSoN, L. J. BYRNE.

